This tour is the most valuable guided tour in Nikko. I will meet you at JR Utsunomiya station and we'll go to JR Nikko on the Nikko Line.
On the way to Nikko, you will be informed well enough about the area to understand the general history of Nikko.
After arriving at JR Nikko station, we'll take the bus to Shinkyo (sacred bridge), then we'll walk to Rinouji temple (Sambutsudo Hall) which is currently not worth paying the admission fee to look inside due to the renovations taking place.
Passing through Sambutsudo Hall we'll then head for the Toshogu shrine.
We can see the 5 story pagoda, stone torii, famous carving of three monkeys, sleeping cat, Karamon gate, the worship hall, and so on. Unfortunately Yomeimon gate is under also renovation so the gate will be covered up.
Then we'll go to Futarasan shrine and Taiyuin Mausoleum. We'll have a light lunch at Hayashiya noodle and rice bowl restaurant.
After lunch we walk to Kammangafuchi abbey where there are 100 stone images of Jizo which are covered by moss.
Finally we'll walk up the hill and reach Tamozawa Imperial villa memorial park. You can get a feeling of what the imperial family was like.
Then we'll take the bus to JR Nikko station and back to your destination via JR Utsunomiya. I will say goodbye to you there.
I strongly believe you will be satisfied with the contents of this tour. Hope you are good walkers!
JR Utsunomiya station
JR Utsunomiya station
8 hours guide fee
Transportation fee for the guide
JR train tickets Utsunomiya/Nikko round trip 1,520 yen (N/A for JR pass holders)
The World Heritage Bus 500 yen
Admission fees (Toshogu-shrine 1,300 yen, Taiyuin-mausoleum 550 yen, Tamozawa Imperial memorial park 500 yen)
Lunch
If you want to enjoy Nikko, please think about staying Nikko or Utsunomiya, I will take you around the night tour if you stay in Utsunomiya.
Anne stickley M.
Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots) for JR pass holders
“A great guide for Nikko”
Jack met us at the train station and after purchasing tickets for Toshogu shrine at the station (to avoid lines at Toshogu), we boarded a bus to the Imperial Villa. After that, we walked to Kanmangafuchi (the gorge with the jizo bosatsu statues), Taiyuin, Futarasan and Toshogu Shrine. We also stopped by Sambutsudo, but there was a special event taking place there so we couldn’t go inside, but we could still see the Buddha statues from the outside. Jack provided the historical background of the places we visited, and noted many interesting features and facts about each location. He also took us to a nice noodle shop for lunch, where we got to taste yuba, a local tofu delicacy. It was a delightful day, and our group (including a couple from Germany) would not hesitate recommending Jack as your guide for this tour. Thank you, Jack, for the great service you gave us last week!
“Great guide”
My family and I had a lovely day out with Jack exploring Okunikko, he navigated the hairpin roads with ease and we were able to see all the beautiful waterfalls and lake Chuzenji. Our tour of Toshogu Shrine was also very interesting and Jack gave us lots of facts about the temples and shrines at this site, which makes it more memorable than if we had gone on our own. Jack was also very accommodating when I requested for my family of 5 to have a tour, and he organised a larger car so we could enjoy the day together. I would recommend Jack to anyone who wants to visit Nikko! I only wish we could spend more time in this beautiful place.
Jack M.
(62 reviews)Thank you so much for your comment. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed the day with you and your family. We saw a knocked down old lady and an almost upsidedown car around out car park, didn't we? Hope no one was critical condition! Enjoy rest of your trip. Jack
Joseph A.
Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)
“Excellent tour”
Jack, our guide was incredible, super informative and very nice!! highly recommend this trip.